Will Off the Tracks run in Test or Alabama?

The connections of Grade 1 Mother Goose winner Off the Tracks are debating whether to run her in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Test at seven furlongs or face the undefeated champion Songbird in the the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama at 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 20 at Saratoga.

Friday, Off the Tracks worked a slow half-mile in 52.12 seconds over the Saratoga main track.

“That work was designed to be a little bit faster than it was,” said Nick Sallusto, racing manager for Newtown Anner Stud, which owns majority interest in Off the Tracks along with J Stables. “That work was designed for us to consider the Test. I don’t think it necessarily disqualifies her from it because it was a little slower.”

Sallusto added that trainer Todd Pletcher “wouldn’t have a problem running off of it.” Sallusto noted that Off the Tracks didn’t have a workout between her runner-up finish in the Acorn on June 11 and her 3 1/2-length victory in the Mother Goose.

“If we don’t run in the Test we will run in the Alabama,” Sallusto said. “I told Todd I wanted him to make whatever decision he’s most comfortable with.”

Those expected for the Test include Kareena, Lewis Bay, Lightstream, and Paola Queen.

Kareena, winner of the Jersey Girl Stakes at Belmont on June 10, worked a sharp half-mile in 48.88 seconds over the synthetic surface at Greentree on Friday morning.

Coppa, who won the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont on July 4 and is undefeated in three starts, will not run in the Test but could run next in the Grade 2 Prioress here on Sept. 4, trainer Phil D’Amato said Friday.